By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Programme (SWEEP) Foundation has called for governance reforms to address Lagos State’s growing waste management challenges.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, SWEEP President, Amb. Philips Obusesi, said governance, institutional capacity and technical expertise remain critical to improving waste management outcomes in the state.
According to him, effective leadership, professional competence and political will are essential to tackling the persistent waste crisis.
“Two things remain most critical: round pegs in square holes and the lack of political will to bark and bite,” he said.
Obusesi stressed that appointments in the waste management sector should be based on competence and technical knowledge to ensure effective policy implementation.
“Until we match competence with authority, the problem will remain,” he added.
He urged the government to reduce bureaucracy, empower professionals and prioritise technical expertise in managing the sector.
The SWEEP president also advocated long-term reforms focused on waste reduction, recycling and resource recovery, including the creation of a standalone Ministry of Environment and Waste Resources with cabinet-level authority.
“Waste must move from being an afterthought to a first-line charge,” he said.
Obusesi identified waste sorting at source as a key behavioural change needed to improve sanitation and support recycling efforts, stressing the need for sustained public awareness campaigns.
He expressed optimism that Lagos could significantly improve its waste management system through stronger governance structures, technical expertise and consistent policy implementation.
